Main image: SWR’s first passenger-carrying Class 701 'Arterio' stands at London Waterloo on January 9, 2024. PAUL CLIFTON
The first Class 701 'Arterio' to carry South Western Railway passengers finally did so on January 9. But you wouldn’t have found the 1025 from London Waterloo to Windsor on any timetable - this was an additional train slotted into the day.
SWR did everything it could to conceal it until the very last moment. The first train was confirmed only the night beforehand - an unexpected additional service, slipped into the published schedule without telling passengers. It wasn’t exactly a triumphant entry into service.
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Dominic Davis-Foster - 16/02/2024 22:10
Many of these were in storage at Long Marston when I went in January. What's different from the Aventras that means there are so many more issues? The Aventras weren't flawless (esp. the Elizabeth Line ones at first) but not this bad.
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Edward Williams - 17/02/2024 09:46
My heart sinks when I hear Air Conditioning. SWR trains are incredibly cold, even in the summer. They have noisy almost gale force fans blowing out cold air. The company says that there is a maintained temperature, but as a frequent traveller I can tell you there isn't.
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Steve Alston - 21/02/2024 19:41
What another truly stupid name.
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